Strats are everywhere. The most ubiquitous guitar in the world. We do more Strat and Tele refrets than any other guitar. Just because they are everywhere. They are the most universally popular guitars ever made and will probably remain that way forever.
This is a 1996 Fender American Strat with alloy frets. They are pretty worn. It could have had a fret leveling but it was better judgement to just refret and save the money. 6100 stainless is the way to go on this. This guitar will be good to go for 20 years of hard playing.
The lacquer has aged in 13 years.
The lacquer has aged in 13 years.
This Rosewood chipped pretty badly when pulling the frets even though I heated them. I've seen worse and it is not a problem anyway.
This Rosewood chipped pretty badly when pulling the frets even though I heated them. I've seen worse and it is not a problem anyway.
Minor finger divots here. We'll take the divots out with cyanoacrylate (CA), otherwise known as Superglue. Some people like to leave them in if they are not too bad.
Minor finger divots here. We'll take the divots out with cyanoacrylate (CA), otherwise known as Superglue. Some people like to leave them in if they are not too bad.
Fixing up the fret slots.
Fixing up the fret slots.
Cleaned out the slots to the proper width and depth.
Cleaned out the slots to the proper width and depth.
Course sanding down the hard CA.
Course sanding down the hard CA.
Nice job and chips are filled in and no longer visible!
Nice job and chips are filled in and no longer visible!
Preparing 6100 stainless wire.
Preparing 6100 stainless wire.
Pressing fret wire.
Pressing fret wire.
Replacing the plastic nut that came stock on this American Strat with a Graphtech because of increased fret height.
Replacing the plastic nut that came stock on this American Strat with a Graphtech because of increased fret height.
Lining up the string slots for the nut.
Lining up the string slots for the nut.
A Graphtech nut is a big improvement over plastic. With the slippery stainless frets its a great match.
Finished. Nothing sounds like a Strat, especially on that neck pickup. With 6100 stainless frets it is fast and easy to play.
